8 Best Things to Do in Midtown Oklahoma City

Visit the OKC National Memorial and Museum

There is no more important site to visit, not only in Midtown but in the entirety of Oklahoma City, than the National Memorial and Museum. With a stunningly emotional outdoor monument and memorial, the site honors the memory of the 168 people lost on April 19, 1995 during the Oklahoma City bombing. The museum is equally impactful, taking visitors on a tour through that horrific period in Oklahoma City's history with photos, video, audio, artifacts, and interactive exhibits with survivor's stories.

Admire Fine Art at Anonyma

If you're a fan of all things fine art, head to the Anonyma Fine Art gallery to view works created by "unidentified, under-recognized, and self-taught" artists from around the world. The collections here are quite unique and include canvasses by Russell Christoffersen, Miró-style sculptures, and the Russian still life from the early 20th century, pictured here.

Stroll Plaza Court

There are many historic buildings in the Midtown area but the Plaza Court building near the metro's first roundabout at 10th and Walker is considered by many to be the area's "social center." Built in 1927, the Plaza Court was the first shopping center in Oklahoma City outside the downtown area. The extensively renovated triangular building is home to a number of restaurants and unique retail establishments.

Check Out Midtown's Many Bars and Restaurants

Midtown possesses some of the metro's best restaurants in such a small area. In the Plaza Court building, there's the James E. McNellie's Pub, one of the top pubs in OKC, as well Irma's Burger Shack, home to one of the best hamburgers in town. Don't miss 1492 New World Latin Cuisine, which offers both creative Latin dishes and more familiar types of Tex-Mex fare; made-from-scratch farm-to-table dishes at Ludivine; upscale Italian at Stella; or the unique treats of Waffle Champion, where you can get old-fashioned counter service and unique waffle sandwiches.

After you dine, have a drink and bowl a game or two at the Dust Bowl, certainly one of the metro's more underrated attractions with 1970s-inspired bowling and a cocktail lounge.

Visit Historic Homes and Buildings

Historic homes and businesses are all around the Midtown area, from Heritage Hills and Mesta Park in the north to the downtown area to the south. But in Midtown itself, you're in for a real treat if you love historic architecture.

Church Row on Robinson is home to places of worship that were built in the early 1900s, while many of the cottages and bungalows located near St. Anthony's hospital have been renovated.

Don't miss Oklahoma City's first high school, Central High School. Located at N.W. 7th and Robinson, it was built in 1912 and is now owned by American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual Insurance Company.

Visit the Oklahoma Hall of Fame

Drive just a bit north to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum. In the beautiful building around NW 14th and Classen, you'll find many excellent exhibits designed to "tell Oklahoma's story through its people." The Chesapeake Oklahoma Theater at the Hall of Fame showcases public films and short subject videos by or about Oklahomans.

See the Architectural DNA

This so-called "Architectural DNA" staircase is suspended via cables that run between 123 Garage and the neighboring Buick building. Look up between the buildings and you'll see something that resembles a DNA double helix. To create it, Fitzsimmons Architects repurposed an old spiral fire escape from the historic Marion Hotel into the new design of an outdoor courtyard.

Have Fun at the H & 8th Night Market

An annual event held each May, the H & 8th Night Market provides a fantastic and vibrant atmosphere full of food trucks and live music. As part of the Oklahoma City Pro-Am Classic, a fun weekend cycling event, the H & 8th Night Market has a fun, family, and pet-friendly vibe and is the largest monthly food truck festival in the United States.